Five freshman starters have chipped in for Bridgewater State softball team

The Bears have gotten production from first-year players Tara McCann, Jennifer Galavotti, Samantha LoPilato, Kelly McCarthy and Courtney Leddy on the way to a spot in the NCAA Division 3 Super Regional against Tufts University.

BRIDGEWATER – They were wrapping up high school softball careers and getting ready for graduation at this time last spring.

One year later, Tara McCann, Jennifer Galavotti, Samantha LoPilato, Kelly McCarthy and Courtney Leddy are all freshman starters for the Bridgewater State University softball team, which is having its best season in more than a decade.

The Bears (32-12) won the Wellesley Regional last weekend and are hosting defending national champion Tufts University in a best-of-three Super Regional series beginning today at 4 p.m. at Alumni Park.

McCann, a third baseman, and Galavotti, the designated player, are tied for second on the team with .306 batting averages. LoPilato is the right fielder hitting .267, McCarthy is the first baseman who delivered two clutch home runs at the regional tourney and Leddy has played solid at second base.

They are part of a team that has 12 freshmen on a 20-player roster, and the five have stepped in and delivered right away with no collegiate experience.

“I treat them all like it doesn’t matter if you’ve been on the team four years or you’ve been on the team a year,’’ said first-year coach Chrissy Semler. “I didn’t like to put too much emphasis on the fact they were freshmen.

“We emphasized to them this is a game you’ve played your whole life. Who cares that it’s a different level? It’s something you’ve done for years and are good at. Why not now?’’

There have been some first-year jitters along the way, but the five starters from the freshman class adapted to a new level of softball in a hurry.

Having each other – along with seven other freshmen on the team – to lean on has helped the transition.

“The other freshmen are some of my best friends, so you have support when your friends are on the field with you,’’ said Leddy.

Said McCarthy, who had never played first base before this season: “It helps a lot knowing you’re in the same boat as others.’’

Said McCann: “I think it takes the pressure off because you have people in the same predicament you’re in. You can go talk to them.’’

The freshmen joined a program in transition and weren’t sure how much playing time they’d be getting right away.

“My sister played at Merrimack,’’ said LoPilato, who has made 30 starts, “and I always learned that as a freshman, you have to learn your place and sit on the bench and eventually you’ll get your turn. I kind of expected that would happen. It’s awesome it didn’t happen; the opposite happened.’’

Page 2 of 2 - Said McCann: “I never thought I’d play this much. I came in thinking I’d sit the bench, cheer on my team and get the college experience and work your way up. It’s unbelievable to be a freshman and to get this much playing time.’’

Not only are the freshmen playing a lot, they are also key parts of the Bears, one of 16 teams remaining in the NCAA Division 3 tournament. The BSU-Tufts winner will advance to Tyler, Texas, for the national tourney.

The freshmen have gotten used to college softball, making the step up from high school in a smooth transition.

“We’ve all been playing softball for so long that once we get in a game, (the nervousness) kind of goes away after a while,’’ said Galavotti, who has six homers and 33 RBI and has started 39 games. “At first, it was a big adjustment. I didn’t really know what to expect. I just went on the field and tried my best.’’

Said Leddy: “We go out there and just play. I don’t think we realize how young we are.’’

The members of the Class of 2017 have a long way to go in their BSU softball careers, but they are already putting together special memories in the first season.

“Knowing we’ll be together for three more years is pretty big,’’ said McCarthy.

Said LoPilato: “It’s just awesome such a young team could be doing this.’’

Jim Fenton may be reached at jfenton@enterprisenews.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JFenton_ent.